Jackets, Bulldogs enjoy winning week

Published: Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 12:46 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 12:46 a.m.

Thomasville assistant coach Dickie Cline had no worry in his eyes.

I had just watched North Davidson dismantle the Bulldogs in the season opener, and I thought they were in trouble. Cline wasn't concerned; he knew the Knights were one of many great teams Thomasville would see in their nonconference schedule that included High Point Central and Davie County. Even though Cline smiled when he spoke, and even said he thought his team would be OK when conference play rolled around, I wasn't so sure. North was stronger and faster at nearly every important position, and the disparity between the two teams was glaring.

Thomasville, which is a perennial 2-A state title contender, is a victim of its success. Local 2-A teams, especially those that aren't in that perennial powerhouse mold with Thomasville, don't want to schedule the Bulldogs. They've even had to go to Virginia to fill out the schedule. This year, they loaded the schedule up with 4-A schools from closer to home; the results were ugly.

They stumbled to an 0-6 start, and looked bad in the process. They weren't losing 28-27 on plays in the fourth quarter. They were clearly inferior.

But Cline was patient, and he knew better days were ahead. If he could keep the team together.

That goal took a major hit in the early going, when starting quarterback Shakeem Peterson and the team parted ways. That left Ike Marsh to take over at quarterback. Marsh, who had never played quarterback before, was a wide receiver, thrown into the most important position on the field, in the middle of that brutal nonconference schedule. He wasn't thrown from the frying pan to the fire, he was thrown from the refrigerator to the fire.

But it all worked out. And, I can almost imagine Cline telling his team, like Hannibal Lecter telling Clarice Starling in "Silence of the Lambs", all good things to those who wait. That's fine for adults; asking 16- and 17-year-old boys to be patient, while they're getting their brains beat in every Friday night, is asking an awful lot.

The Bulldogs got their just rewards Monday. They finally got to pick on somebody their own size, opening the Central Carolina Conference slate with a visit from Central Davidson. It was just what the doctor ordered, as Gabe Brockett ran for 350 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs to a 42-21 win. That should temporarily silence the critics who wondered if this was the year Thomasville hit the skids. In the words of Lee Corso, not so fast, my friend. I thought Central could challenge Salisbury for the CCC title this year; the Bulldogs have everybody second-guessing that theory.

Lexington also enjoyed a trip to victory lane this week after a very tough nonconference run. While Lexington didn't line up agains the level of competition Thomasville did in the early going, they didn't exactly pick on the Sisters of the Poor, either. The Jackets went 1-5, mostly without all-everything tailback Marquez Grayson. That changed Friday, when the Jackets gutted out a 29-15 win over East Davidson. It wasn't pretty, and was probably closer than the Jackets would have liked. But, a win's a win.

Now, the Jackets visit West Davidson in the "Transfer Bowl" on Friday. Three Jackets starters were Dragons a year ago, and there could be some tension in the air at Glosson Stadium. Thomasville travels to East Davidson on Friday, and will do so with a new sense of confidence. Things took a clear turn for the better for the Jackets and Bulldogs; it will be interesting to see how long it lasts.

Jason Queen can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 220, or jason.queen@the-dispatch.com.

<p>Thomasville assistant coach Dickie Cline had no worry in his eyes.</p><p>I had just watched North Davidson dismantle the Bulldogs in the season opener, and I thought they were in trouble. Cline wasn't concerned; he knew the Knights were one of many great teams Thomasville would see in their nonconference schedule that included High Point Central and Davie County. Even though Cline smiled when he spoke, and even said he thought his team would be OK when conference play rolled around, I wasn't so sure. North was stronger and faster at nearly every important position, and the disparity between the two teams was glaring.</p><p>Thomasville, which is a perennial 2-A state title contender, is a victim of its success. Local 2-A teams, especially those that aren't in that perennial powerhouse mold with Thomasville, don't want to schedule the Bulldogs. They've even had to go to Virginia to fill out the schedule. This year, they loaded the schedule up with 4-A schools from closer to home; the results were ugly.</p><p>They stumbled to an 0-6 start, and looked bad in the process. They weren't losing 28-27 on plays in the fourth quarter. They were clearly inferior.</p><p>But Cline was patient, and he knew better days were ahead. If he could keep the team together.</p><p>That goal took a major hit in the early going, when starting quarterback Shakeem Peterson and the team parted ways. That left Ike Marsh to take over at quarterback. Marsh, who had never played quarterback before, was a wide receiver, thrown into the most important position on the field, in the middle of that brutal nonconference schedule. He wasn't thrown from the frying pan to the fire, he was thrown from the refrigerator to the fire.</p><p>But it all worked out. And, I can almost imagine Cline telling his team, like Hannibal Lecter telling Clarice Starling in "Silence of the Lambs", all good things to those who wait. That's fine for adults; asking 16- and 17-year-old boys to be patient, while they're getting their brains beat in every Friday night, is asking an awful lot.</p><p>The Bulldogs got their just rewards Monday. They finally got to pick on somebody their own size, opening the Central Carolina Conference slate with a visit from Central Davidson. It was just what the doctor ordered, as Gabe Brockett ran for 350 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs to a 42-21 win. That should temporarily silence the critics who wondered if this was the year Thomasville hit the skids. In the words of Lee Corso, not so fast, my friend. I thought Central could challenge Salisbury for the CCC title this year; the Bulldogs have everybody second-guessing that theory.</p><p>Lexington also enjoyed a trip to victory lane this week after a very tough nonconference run. While Lexington didn't line up agains the level of competition Thomasville did in the early going, they didn't exactly pick on the Sisters of the Poor, either. The Jackets went 1-5, mostly without all-everything tailback Marquez Grayson. That changed Friday, when the Jackets gutted out a 29-15 win over East Davidson. It wasn't pretty, and was probably closer than the Jackets would have liked. But, a win's a win.</p><p>Now, the Jackets visit West Davidson in the "Transfer Bowl" on Friday. Three Jackets starters were Dragons a year ago, and there could be some tension in the air at Glosson Stadium. Thomasville travels to East Davidson on Friday, and will do so with a new sense of confidence. Things took a clear turn for the better for the Jackets and Bulldogs; it will be interesting to see how long it lasts.</p><p>Jason Queen can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 220, or jason.queen@the-dispatch.com.</p>